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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CPB-1998-5-28 CITY OF ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD 318 North Albany St. Ithaca, NY 14850 MINUTES: Ithaca Community Police Board PLACE: Second Floor Conference Room, City Hall TIME & DATE: May 28, 1998 at 3:30 p.m. PRESENT: Commissioners Jones. Nelson, Pryor, Richardson, Chief Basile, Deputy Chief Barnes, Alderperson Sams. Deborah Clover, CPB Staff. 1 . Commissioner Pryor called the meeting to order. 2. Minutes of Meeting of April 20, 1998. The April 20 minutes were not yet transcribed and so were unavailable for review. 3. Approve Minutes of Meeting of March 16, 1998. By Commissioner Richardson, seconded by Commissioner Nelson. RESOLVED, That the minutes of the March 16, 1998 Community Police Board Meeting be approved as published. 11e� Carried Unanimously 4. Comments from the Public: Ttrer was no one from the public present. 5. Report of the Chief: Chief Basile reported on the following: • The domestic violence training for officers has been completed. One focus of the training was choking injuries. Approximately 2/3 of the force participated. • Investigators have been selected and are now in place; two with the Special Investigation Unit, and one with the Juvenile Division. The Special Investigators have just completed drug enforcement and sexual abuse training. • Three new officers have graduated from the Basic Academy and are now on the streets. One has completed field training, and the other two are on duty with other officers. All three did very well at the Academy. • Rotary donated $5,000 for the DARE program. K-Mart donated $250 for DARE. ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD Page 2 Meeting Minutes May 28, 1998 • The newest member of the force, Odin (police dog) has graduated from Canine School and is now fully trained. He is doing school programs with his trainer, and they are attempting to do as many of these as possible before summer vacation. Commissioner Richardson offered to talk with Edsel Hocker, the principal at Beverly J. Martin school, and ask him to contact Chief Basile to arrange for Odin to visit there. Commissioner Pryor asked if they would come to BJM for her Special Education Summer School Program. • Chief Basile had requested a Sergeant's exam to expand the pool; however some officers were upset by this since it was only one year since the last exam. Therefore, they have decided to wait another year. • Diversity Training is nearly complete. Roughly 80% of the department will get through this. Chief Basile will review critiques and set up Step 2 for the officers. Zelda Lockhart from the Multi-Cultural Resource Center was the instructor. She acted as a facilitator rather than lecturer, which was quite effective. Also, the fact that she is local is an asset in continuing the training. Ms. Lockhart has a long-term master plan, which moves the training through a multi-step process. • Collegetown Senior Week went well. The officers acted professionally, and students were cooperative. There were approximately 78 arrests over a four day period, primarily for open containers and public urination. There was no property damage, too loud music, or fireworks, but the sheer number of students on the streets during that week caused some disturbance. Chief Basile noted that this is a five-year tradition, and it will take some time to break the cycle; however, things went fairly smoothly. Officers worked overtime during that period. Commissioner Pryor suggested that a letter be sent to the officers from the CPB thanking them for their efforts. Commissioner Jones suggested that a laurel be put in the Saturday newspaper, which also gives good exposure. RESOLUTION by Commissioner Jones, seconded by Commissioner Nelson. RESOLVED That a letter be sent to officers thanking them for their efforts during Senior Week, and that a laurel be put in the Ithaca Journal. Carried Unanimously ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD Page 3 Meeting Minutes May 28, 1998 6. Report from Common Council: Alderperson Sams thanked the Police Department for their time and dedication in the search for bodies of recent boating accident victims R;ck. (ucorenc_'e and fellow- Alderperson i?' 7. Comments from PBA President: There was no one from the PM present. Chief Basile reported that they are in mediation with the PM, which is the step before arbitration. The climate is still strained, and there has been no movement to deal with the CPB. 8. Old Business: The CPB reported on the following topics: • Commissioner Jones reported that he was asked to go on Robin Palmer's radio program to discuss the role of the Commission. Commissioner Jones declined; but Commissioner Pryor and Alderperson Sams both were on the program. Commissioner Pryor declined a second invitation. Commissioner Nelson was on the second program. There was some discussion about the nature of the program and the controversial questions and discussion broadcast. • The issue of who speaks for the Board was discussed. Commissioner Jones suggested that Commissioner Pryor be the official representative of the Board so there are no mixed messages. Commissioner Pryor responded that any commissioner can always speak as an individual, but it is appropriate for the Board Chair to be the official spokesperson for the Board as a whole. bret • Commissioner Jones presented the suggested changes that he and Commissioner McGruder have come up with. The goal is to make the brochure accurate as of 1998. Some questions to consider: • Should the tri-fold format be continued? • Should graphics be included? • Should a separate brochure be produced for someone who wants more information on the complaint process, so the brochure is not overcrowded? • Commissioner Pryor noted that the Board's mission needs to more accurately reflect the charge from Common Council. For example, the current brochure doesn't point out the full potential of the Board other than handling complaints. ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD Page 4 Meeting Minutes May 28, 1998 • Alderperson Sams suggested that the new brochure be passed by the PM for suggestions and comment. • Staffperson Clover was approved to reproduce the existing brochure with the new address and phone number. • Regarding Fay Gougakis question about the appeal process: After much consultation with Commissioners, the Mayor, and reviewing past records, it has been determined that there is no process or precedent for an appeal. Commissioner Pryor responded to Ms. Gougakis by letter, offering to meet with her to review the process and procedure but not to rehear the complaint. • It was noted that the justice system allows an opportunity for appeal; however, there must be grounds for an appeal such as new evidence or improper procedure, beyond not liking the decision. • A sub-committee was established to draft a suggestion for an appeal procedure. Commissioner Jones Commissioners Seligmann and Sarachan for assistance on this. • Update on confidentiality issues: Commissioner Pryor has received a ruling on the records issue regarding PBA concerns about confidentiality. This will be put on the agenda for the June meeting, executive session. • Update on office: The GIAC office is now painted, furniture has been purchased. We still need to get the computer, private phone line, and phone • Update on orientation for Commissioners: Commissioners were asked to clarify what was wanted for orientation. The following ideas resulted: • Something in writing regarding responsibilities of Commissioners. • Tour Police Department • Go on Ride-Along with Officer. 9. New Business: • There were no commendation in May. RESOLUTION By Commissioner Jones, seconded by Commissioner Richardson. RESOLVED That a note of congratulations be sent from the CPB to officers who have received commendations. ITHACA COMMUNITY POLICE BOARD Page 5 Meeting Minutes May 28, 1998 • Commissioner Pryor suggested that we schedule an open house at GIAC so people can see the new office. Staff person Clover will check on dates and call Commissioners and the Chief to confirm. • A complaint has been received and assigned to Commissioner McGruder. She has a meeting scheduled with the Chief for the week of June 1. • Alderperson Sams requested that statistics be kept on misunder- standings that are clarified by the Police, so that we know the areas where we need to get better information to the public. • Commissioner Sarachan has accepted an interim job with the City, which means he must resign his position on the CPB. He would like to rejoin the Board once this job is finished. Therefore, it is unclear whether or not he will be replaced. If a replacement is sought, Commissioner Nelson has the name and contact information of a young man who has expressed interest in joining the Board. 10. Adjournment: The next meeting of the Community Police Board is scheduled to be held June 25, 1998 at 3:30 p.m. in the Second Floor Conference Room at City Hall. On a motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Jones Community Police Board adjourned.